Donut coral

[Daniella19]

Hi,
I just bought a donut coral today and when I was home I noticed a hole. I was watching it for a while and somehow it looked like a small crab inside. Is that possible?
Thanks in advance

 

[Brittany Marie]

Hi,
I just bought a donut coral today and when I was home I noticed a hole. I was watching it for a while and somehow it looked like a small crab inside. Is that possible?
Thanks in advance

Sounds like a gall crab

 

[reef lover]

+1

 

[Daniella19]

How can I remove it?

 

[ScottR]

How can I remove it?

I have no idea how to remove. Usually for crabs you can make a trap with some food. But if really a gall crab, I don’t think it will be enticed by any particular food that you give it. However, you can still try to set a trap just in case it’s some other type of crab.

 

[Daniella19]

I have no idea how to remove. Usually for crabs you can make a trap with some food. But if really a gall crab, I don’t think it will be enticed by any particular food that you give it. However, you can still try to set a trap just in case it’s some other type of crab.

I seen videos where people take them out with tweezers but I don’t won’t to damage the coral.. I’m not sure about this method with tweezers

 

[ScottR]

I seen videos where people take them out with tweezers but I don’t won’t to damage the coral.. I’m not sure about this method with tweezers

Trust me on crab issues... I’ve been there. Tweezers most likely won’t work. I had big crab infestations. Crabs that ate fish, shrimps ($$$) and ones that are corals. I’ve tried taking the rock out and using tweezers. Most I’ve ever gotten was a leg and a claw. That cave is tiny as well, might damage the coral. But worth a try. Perhaps QT the coral if possible. Good luck! Keep us updated!

 

[Daniella19]

Trust me on crab issues... I’ve been there. Tweezers most likely won’t work. I had big crab infestations. Crabs that ate fish, shrimps ($$$) and ones that are corals. I’ve tried taking the rock out and using tweezers. Most I’ve ever gotten was a leg and a claw. That cave is tiny as well, might damage the coral. But worth a try. Perhaps QT the coral if possible. Good luck! Keep us updated!

so my husband did some careful "digging" and we got it out. It was about 1 cm big.

 

[ScottR]

Kind of resembles a gall crab. But does it only have 6 legs or are my eyes off?

 

[Daniella19]

Kind of resembles a gall crab. But does it only have 6 legs or are my eyes off?

it had 8. this picture might be better. n the right side you can see 4 legs and left only 3 because we accidentally pulled one out. we put it first on towel and it was holding on to It and then we pulled on leg..

 

[ScottR]

it had 8. this picture might be better. n the right side you can see 4 legs and left only 3 because we accidentally pulled one out. we put it first on towel and it was holding on to It and then we pulled on leg..

I see
Getting crabs out is a chore. Amazing you got it so quick.

 

[reef lover]

Nicely done!!